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At Made by Google 2024, the company announced four different versions of the Pixel 9 alongside some show-stealing AI features that captivated everyone's attention.
Buried among those announcements: a new Nest Thermostat and smart TV streamer, plus the Pixel Watch 3.
The biggest unsung hero of Made by Google 2024 was the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
The time has come to sing the praises of Google's newest earbuds!
While the excitement around the Pixel 9 lineup is completely deserved (I love these phones AND their software) it definitely eclipsed how great the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are.
They are so close to perfect, they could very well be the best Android earbuds anyone can buy today.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 - Improved physical design
Comfort is key when it comes to any earbud. Obviously you want great audio, but if the buds keep sliding out of your ears, or they're literally a pain when you slide them in, you're not going to enjoy them at all.
Google is bumping up the fit quality with the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 (literally) by adding a small bump.
This fin-like bump is on the inner section of the Buds and allows you to adjust the fit simply by twisting the earbuds. When twisting, the fin slides the tips of the buds a little deeper and more securely in your ears (great for exercise or other activities where you're vigorously moving about). Otherwise, twist 'em backward to sit more comfortably when you're working at your computer or puttering around the house.
As you'd expect, there's also various sized silicon tips. If you're not sure if you've got the right fit, you can do a little audio test within the Pixel Buds app and your phone will tell you whether or not you need to switch the eartips to be bigger or smaller.
Better Sounding Buds
It's pretty astounding the bass quality we've come to expect from earbuds. But if you're gonna call something a pro model (and add a pro price tag) you better deliver a pro experience.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a noticeably rich bass and clear mids and high frequencies. I listen to audiobooks more than anything, and the bass is so prominent, I ended up dialing in the EQ just slightly to take out a bit of the low end in the narrator's voices.
Not every earbud allows you to get this granular, but Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a 5 band EQ, which is just enough to customize the sound to your taste, without it being overwhelming. And while I used this, my guess is 90 percent of people will never mess around with this setting since the Buds' default audio mix is likely great for the masses.
Active Noise Cancellation
The standout feature with the last generation of Pixel Buds Pro was the active noise cancellation (ANC) and this generation it sounds even better!
Sitting in my basement, with the furnace running and the buds in, I cannot hear the ambient sound of my furnace. On a plane, the engine noise is almost entirely gone.
But in situations where you want to add more of the outside world into the buds, like out for a stroll and you want to people able to hear cars and your environment the
Transparency mode picks up such nuance that I could hear the sounds while strolling, like a gentle slap of my Toms against my heel with each step, that I never detected with my own ears when I wasn't wearing the buds.
Aiding with the great ANC and transparency mode is the passive noise cancellation you get from the great-fitting earbud tips.
The ANC is the second most standout feature that elevates the Pixel Buds Pro 2 above the competition
Gemini and Gemini Live on Pixel Buds Pro 2
The main standout feature with Pixel Buds Pro 2 is revealed when you use them with Gemini Live.
Gemini is Google's new AI assistant – different from Google assistant. In fact, you'll have to specify if you want your Pixel phone to use Google Assistant or Gemini by default.
You'll use Gemini to do most of the same things you did with Google Assistant – "Hey Google play some Avril Lavigne on YouTube Music."
Gemini Live is a premium experience with Pixel Buds Pro 2.
When your buds are paired with your phone you can tap into the power and smarts of Gemini Live. This allows you to have a really conversational experience with Google's new AI being, and it's absolutely the best interaction between AI and real people available right now.
Gemini Live isn't perfect; however.
For example, I was asking it to brainstorm dinner ideas. Gemini Live asked me about my dietary needs, what ingredients I have on hand, etc. and came up with many great options including finding recipes!
However, when I asked it to send the recipes, it was unable to email them to me or send me a link, saying it couldn't find the recipe anymore. But it was able to list all the ingredients and steps, so I could just peek at my Gemini history on my phone to see all the info when it came time to cook dinner.
Also sometimes, it feels like Gemini is a little slow to respond. To the point where I think it didn't hear me so I start asking a question again, right around the same time Gemini starts answering. But because it thinks I'm interrupting to ask a new question, it stops answering my initial question.
This could just be early access/Beta-type issues that will be fixed in soon-to-come software updates. At Made by Google 2024, I had a Gemini Live demo where I asked it very detailed and rapid fire questions about why it's a bad idea to have a raccoon as a pet (spoiler, don't do it – brain parasites) and Gemini Live performed flawlessly at this demo even though I was deliberately trying to trip it up with frequent interruptions and bizarre questions.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 Battery Life
Just like the previous Pixel Buds Pro, the new generation supports wireless charging. If you're using ANC, you'll get up to 8 hours of battery life on the Buds and with the charge in the case 30 hours total.
You can quickly top up the battery on the buds by putting them in the case for 15 minutes which gives you an extra three hours of battery life. That's a very generous length of time in my opinion for such a short charging period! No more worrying about being without earbuds on a long flight.
They've also added a speaker to the case. This wasn't available on the last generation but if you're prone to misplacing the case this is very helpful. You'll not only be able to look up the last location with Find My Device, you'll also be able to remotely trigger that speaker to make it easier to track down.
What colours do the Pixel Buds Pro 2 come in?
There are four colour options available for Pixel Buds Pro 2, matching the colours available with the Pixel 9 lineup.
- Wintergreen
- Peony (Pink)
- Hazel (very dark, almost black)
- Porcelain (cream colour)
Are the Pixel Buds Pro 2 worth it?
Yup. These are excellent earbuds for almost any scenario.
My previous favourite Android earbuds were the Beats Fit Pro. I liked how they play nice with Android and Apple devices and how securely they fit in the ear for exercise.
With the new twist-to-adjust stabilizer design the Pixel Buds Pro 2 fit is exactly what you want it to be, when you want it to be. Give it a twist to snug it up during exercise. Twist it the other way for a more standard and comfortable fit.
The active noise cancellation is, in my opinion, the best in any earbuds available right now (Android or otherwise).
Gemini is a bit lateral with the buds compared to Google Assistant, but Gemini Live, when using the Buds connected to your phone is good right now and has even more promise for the future.
I sometimes get mixed up with the gestures. A single tap can do different things like play and pause music or exit Conversation Detection Mode depending on what you're doing. Then there's double tap, triple tap, swipe forward, swipe back, and press and. So it takes a few days to get these functions oriented (and you can customize certain gestures within the Pixel Buds app).
Wireless audio
Pixel Buds Pro 2
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a nice upgrade to an already fabulous product. The active noise cancellation, embedded AI integration, and fantastic battery life make these earbuds a great pick for Android users!
I love the Zippo lighter-style case, the great battery life, and the general sleekness of these wireless earbuds.
If you're in the market for a new set of Android earbuds and want to make sure that you're getting good value for the dollars you're spending, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a top choice!
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